LETTER: Help spread awareness about essential tremor

In college basketball, the month of March means bracket-busters, buzzer-beaters and buckets of thrills. Assists in the sport happen when one teammate passes to another for a score

On the court or off, everyone needs a helping hand from time to time. I'm writing to ask readers to give me an assist as I share information about the third annual National Essential Tremor Awareness Month, which also happens in March.

I was diagnosed with ET at the age of 15. Fortunately, with good medical care and proper medications, my symptoms are still under control at age 60.

Essential tremor is a neurological condition that causes shaking of the head, hands and/or voice. An estimated 10 million Americans have ET, and while it is not life threatening, ET is a serious and progressive condition that can significantly affect a person's quality of life - socially, professionally and emotionally. People with ET often have difficulty with everyday activities such as getting dressed, eating, drinking, speaking or writing.

Despite the numerous people directly affected by ET, there is still little awareness of the disorder. In fact, ET is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, but ET is eight times more common. Receiving proper diagnosis for tremor is a key step in seeking treatment, managing the condition, and raising awareness with others to foster understanding.

The International Essential Tremor Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is a helpful resource to learn more about ET symptoms, treatment, specialists, current research and support groups. Since its inception, the IETF has distributed more than half a million dollars in research grants to fund many promising research studies, search for the cause of ET, and develop better treatments.

I invite you to pass on this information. If you or someone you know may have symptoms of ET, I urge you to please consult a doctor for diagnosis (My father also suffered from ET). ET is often genetic so check with family members to see if others have the condition. There is help available! To learn more, visit the International Essential Tremor Foundation website at www.essentialtremor.org or call 888.387.3667.

James K. Polk Van Zandt

Joplin Court

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LETTER: Help spread awareness about essential tremor

In college basketball, the month of March means bracket-busters, buzzer-beaters and buckets of thrills. Assists in the sport happen when one teammate passes to another for a score